Her Majesty, the Queen,
has asked me to form a new government and I have accepted. Before I talk about that
new government, let me say something about the one that has just
passed.

Compared with a decade
ago, this country is more open at home and more compassionate abroad,
and that is something we should all be grateful for. And on behalf of
the whole country I'd like to pay tribute to the outgoing Prime
Minister for his long record of dedicated public service.

In terms of the future,
our country has a hung parliament where no party has an overall
majority; and we have some deep and pressing problems -- a huge
deficit, deep social problems, and a political system in need of reform.

For those reasons, I aim
to form a proper and full coalition between the Conservatives and
the Liberal Democrats. I believe that is the
right way to provide this country with the strong, the stable, the
good and decent government that I think we need so badly. Nick Clegg and I are
both political leaders who want to put aside party differences and
work hard for the common good and for the national interest.

I believe that is the
best way to get the strong government that we need, decisive
government that we need today. I came into politics
because I love this country. I think its best days still lie ahead
and I believe deeply in public service.

And I think the service
our country needs right now is to face up to our really big
challenges, to confront our problems, to take difficult decisions,
to lead people through those difficult decisions, so that together
we can reach better times ahead.

One of the tasks that we
clearly have is to rebuild trust in our political system. Yes, that's
about cleaning up expenses. Yes, that's about reforming parliament.
And yes, it's about making sure people are in control -- and that the
politicians are always their servants and never their masters.

But I believe it's also
something else. It's about being honest about what government can
achieve. Real change is not what government can do on its own. Real
change is when everyone pulls together, comes together, works
together, where we all exercise our responsibilities to ourselves,
to our families, to our communities, and to others.

And I want to help try
and build a more responsible society here in Britain. One where we
don't just ask what are my entitlements, but what are my
responsibilities: When we don't ask where, "What am I just owed?" But more,
"What can I give?" And a guide for that
society -- that those that can should, and those who can't we will
always help.

I want to make sure that
my government always looks after the elderly, the frail, the poorest
in our country. We must take everyone
through [sic] us on some of the difficult decisions that we have ahead. Above all, it will be a
government that is built on some clear values -- values of freedom,
values of fairness, and values of responsibility. I want us to build an
economy that rewards work. I want us to build a society with
stronger families and stronger communities. And I want a political
system that people can trust and look up to once again.

This is going to be hard
and difficult work. A coalition will throw up all sorts of
challenges. But I believe together
we can provide that strong and stable government that our country
needs based on those values -- rebuilding family, rebuilding
community; above all, rebuilding responsibility in our country.

Those are the things I
care about.

Those are the things that this government will now start
work on doing.